In the last few weeks, two girls have been going door-to-door in Grant Park collecting money for a jump rope marathon.

But it's a scam, Chris Newman, chairman of the Grant Park Neighborhood Association's Public Safety Committee, told East Atlanta Patch Friday.

"This occurs from time to time," Newman said.

The scam works this way:

The two girls, whom Newman said are about 10 years of age, have knocked on doors, claiming to be collecting funds for a jump rope competition connected to the Boys & Girls Club.

Sometimes, the girls have been alone, other times, residents reported seeing them being accompanied by two adults who always stick close to the street.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta told East Atlanta Patch they don't send children to solicit door-to-door.

In fact, many kids-oriented organizations don't send children out for such fundraising activities for their safety.

"They had no ID, no documentation, no literature," Newman said.

"They can be victims themselves," he said, explaining the kids can be targets of crime, too.

Indeed, he cited a recent case of  two boys who were collecting money for a football program off an I-20 exit ramp. A passing motorist grabbed one of the helmets they were using to collect donations and drove off.

As for the two girls, they were hitting the streets on the east side of Grant Park last week, Newman said, describing them as entrepreneurial, if nothing else in their scheme.

A  Grant Park resident spotted the pair recently, outside the CVS drugstore on Boulevard and just off Hansell Street, Newman said.

"The neighbor saw them as they were splitting their take for the day," he said.

What did they do with the day's booty?

The neighbor said they purchased cookies and ice cream.